"All I'm saying is, you need to be more careful where Malfoy is concerned" Hermione stated "just try and ignore him."
I sighed heavily at the long lecture Harry and I had just sat through. Now don't get me wrong I love the girl dearly but sometimes I could do without her stern words of wisdom.
I looked back at her with a raised eye "As I recall Hermione, it wasn't too long ago when a certain person lost her temper to such a degree that she ended up socking one Draco Malfoy in the face. And what's more, she lives to tell the tail…so I'm sure by comparison, being called a slime-ball and a fool isn't really the end of the world!"
Hermione opened her mouth and closed it again, before sighing softly "Just be careful, that's all I mean"
"I will," I said quietly with a smile
"Right, I'm off" she announced, grabbing her bag and getting to her feet "see you guys later"
"Don't tell me, off to the library?" Ron said dully
"As a matter of fact I am, and I strongly suggest you try it now and again, then maybe you wont find yourself having to stay up all night doing home work that should have been done days ago." and with that she left.
"What's your next class?" asked Harry helping himself to another piece of steak pie, while I refilled my glass with pumpkin juice.
"Charms" I said brightly. Charms was one of my favourite lessons, mainly because I was good at it "And you two?"
They both smiled smugly "Free period" they said in unison
"Jammy buggers" I said with a frown then took a sip of my drink, only to feel a firm hand smack my back, nearly causing me to choke on the pumpkin juice I had just consumed. Coughing violently I turned my head to see who it was that nearly killed me.
"What's this we hear?" came the familiar voice as he took a seat beside me
"Ten pionts from Gryffindor and two detentions under your belt already!"
"Fred you bloody idiot" I croaked, trying to steady my voice "you nearly killed me"
Fred simply beamed at me, while George sat himself opposite and smiled cheekily
"Getting under Snape's skin so soon…Fred, I think she deserves a little treat don't you?"
My eyes insatntly widened, a little worried at what "Treat" meant. Fred and George were two of my closest friends and I loved them with a passion, but just because we were best friends did not mean I escaped their practical jokes, on the contrary I had been the brunt of many and had the medical records to prove it too!
"W-what do you mean by treat?" I asked warily.
Fred placed his arm around my shoulder pulling me into him "Don't look so anxious my little friend…have we ever done anything to harm you?"
Looking up at him I raised an eye sceptically.
"Well ok, don't answer that…" he said with a little shrug "But what we had in mind was…a little walk, tonight…just the three of us, after hours" his eyes twinkling with mischief.
I turned to face George who gave me his famous "I know you want to" look. I began to chew on my bottom lip; the two of them were obviously planning something and wanted my assistance, which I was more than willing to give but, I had already lost my house twenty points and two detentions really was enough to be getting on with, not including the amount of homework that was already piling up. I had to admit the temptation was great, both Fred and George could see it too.
"Well?" asked George with excitement "fancy it?"
I bit harder on my bottom lip and looked at both of them in shame "Sorry guys, as much as it pains me to say it I really can't, not tonight anyway." Instantly feeling guilty at the look of disapointment on their faces I added "Oh don't look at me like that…next time I promise."
XXX
Charms went by effortlessly, well nearly! I sat next to Neville Longbottom, need I say more?! He had improved greatly and Charms was one of his better subjects but somehow he managed to cause chaos. Professor Flitwick had given us the straightforward task of levitating a book, simple first year work, easy right?! Wrong! Not in this instance, we had to do it non- verbally, which caused Neville; lets just say a few problems. (But To my amazement, I did it after about ten minuets, gaining me and Gryffindor ten points) Neville however didn't quite manage it at all, instead however, he did succeeded in soaking most of the class as water erupted from the end of his wand, poor Professor Flitwick receiving the majority of it! Needless to say the ten points that were given to me were taken away.
Much to my annoyance Malfoy also took Charms. He sat next to Zabini and for pretty much the whole lesson his eyes barley left me. I ignored him for as long as I could, which really wasn't long at all before I decided two could play at this game. I knew it wasn't a wise move on my part to provoke an already pissed off Malfoy, but the temptation was just too great. Giving him little girly smiles and waves didn't go down too well, I could tell by the sneer that grew deeper, the frown that got stronger and the simple fact that he snapped the quill he gripped tightly in his hand, was some indication that Mr Malfoy was not too impressed.
"I'm sorry Anna" Neville said after class with his head hung low,
"Sorry…for what?"
"Loosing the points Flitwick gave you"
"Oh don't worry," I said sympathetically "After all I…" but never got to finish.
"De'lore" come that overly annoying voice.
I rolled my eyes, not bothering to turn around as I replied "What do you want this time Malfoy?"
Second later he, along with Zabini were walking by my side, Neville's eyes widened in panic as we all come to a sudden halt.
"Get lost Longbotton" Malfoy snapped, "I want a word with De'lore"
Neville looked petrified but stayed by my side.
"I said, get lost Longbottom" he spat once more
"I-I-I" he stuttered
"I-I-I" Malfoy scoffed spitefully with a cold snigger "Just get lost"
"B-B-but I-I…"
"It's ok Neville, I'll see you at dinner" I said quietly to him
"B-B-but…"
"She said she would see you at dinner you blubbering idiot…now piss off"
I Snaped my head in Malfoy's direction with an ice cold glare "Don't you talk to him like that" I said fiercely "Your problem is with me Malfoy NOT him"
Turing back to Neville I smiled softly "Go on, I'll see you in a bit"
He looked hesitantly between us then did a he was told as he slowly walked away.
I sighed heavily "Ok Zabini…your turn" Zabini frowned questionably.
"Get.Lost" I spoke slowly "Malfoy wants a word with me, and if my friend had to go, then so do you" folding my arms in front of me I glanced at Malfoy "It's only fair…or are you too scared to confront me without someone to hold your hand?"
Malfoy's features tensed, giving Zabini the smallest of nods indicating he could go. With him out of the way the two of us stood alone in the deserted corridor. I felt ill at ease and extremely uncomfortable, but was determined not to let it show.
"Well it's just you and me all alone together…oh how I've dreamed of this day" sarcasm dripping off my tongue.
Malfoy simply stared at me some more. I sighed heavily "Don't you think you got a good enough look at me in Charms Malfoy? I mean your eyes barley left me…now, what do you want?"
"You need to watch your back De'lore, you and them filthy friends of yours"
I couldn't help but laugh, "Is that it…is that all you wanted to tell me?" I managed to get out through giggles; I nodded "Ok fine, I'll watch my back…is that all?"
He took a step closer, his eyes cold and malicious "I mean it De'lore" his voice barley above a whisper but full of deadly force.
"I'm sure you do Malfoy" I said taking a step closer too "but remember who started all this, it was you…and if you think for one second that I am going to be intimidated by the likes of you, then you've got another thing coming…now, do what ever it is you are planning on doing to me, I mean we are quite alone, do it while you have the chance, because believe it or not, your not exactly the kind of company I wish to be seen with"
His hard features softened and a small smirk played on his lips, he brought a hand up to my face and traced a finger gently over my cheek. I coiled in disgust at his touch.
"Get off me" I spat, taking a step back and pulling my head away.
Malfoy's smirk only grew "You know what De'lore, I think I'll wait…the element of surprise will be far more entertaining" He took a step back wards, giving me a chance to vigorously wipe my cheek where his grimy finger had just been
"Ewwww" I said with a shudder. All I could think about was running to the nearest bathroom and scrubbing at my face to rid me of Malfoy's touch.
"See you later, looser" he smirked cockily, clearly pleased with himself as he walked away.
I scowled "Not if I see you first" I called after him "Ferret boy"